Connecting with Others
Building a network of people who care about you and your family.
A lot of parents feel too busy or overwhelmed to make new friends or stay connected to the people and activities that bring their life balance. But having social connections isn’t a luxury. It’s an essential resource that can help your entire family.
A network of social connections can offer you the opportunity to give and get practical support and celebrate your successes. Talking things over with trusted friends or family can help you recharge and see problems in a new way. Feeling valued and understood, and knowing you can turn to others for acceptance, advice or a helping hand can help you be a happier and more confident parent.
Hear from parents
Having someone to talk to. It’s important… to have someone to bounce ideas off of, thoughts off of, problems off of.”
-Barbara
Connecting with Others can look like…
Trying something new to make new friends
Surrounding kids with supportive, caring adults
Turning off your devices when it’s time to connect
Trying something new to make new friends
Surrounding kids with supportive, caring adults
Turning off your devices when it’s time to connect
Ask Yourself…
There are no right answers. Thinking about these questions can help you understand your family’s strengths.
Emotions can be contagious. And that makes the quality of your closest relationships important. So, take an inventory of your family, friends and romantic relationships. Are your closest companions caring, respectful and supportive? Do you give and accept help from one another? Take the time to start and maintain healthy friendships and relationships. They’ll offer you and your family the support you need to be strong. Back to Question While all friendships are wonderful, the relationships parents build with other parents can be especially important. You’ll be able to share the joys and frustrations of raising a family with people who understand. And you’ll see other parents and parenting strategies in action. When you become a new parent or transition to a new stage of life, it may take some extra effort. But adding other parents to your social network can really pay off. Back to Question No one can get through life alone. We all find ourselves in situations where we need help and support. Whether they’re picking you up when the car won’t start or providing child care during a time of need, your network of friends and family can be helping hands for you and your kids. How can you expand and strengthen your connections? Sometimes it is necessary to go outside your comfort zone, try new things and meet new people. At the same time, remember to maintain the healthy relationships that you already have. Back to QuestionConnecting with Others doesn’t have to be complicated.
Building trusting relationships and staying connected can be as simple as calling a friend, making a play date, joining a new community group or offering to help out a neighbor. Sometimes reaching out to others can feel awkward, but it gets easier with practice.
Try this:
FIVE FOR FAMILIES IDEA
Expanding Your Friendships
For some people, making friends is easy. For others, it is more challenging. However, having friends that you enjoy and can count on is essential for you and for the strength of your family.
Try something new: Volunteer, take a class or attend an event to meet new people with common interests.
Take a risk: Reach out and make the first move. Invite someone to hang out at a specific time and place.
Don’t give up: Sometimes friendships don’t work out. Don’t take it personally. Keep trying with others.
Stay close: Friends can slip away when you don’t stay in touch. Reach out regularly.
FIVE FOR FAMILIES IDEA
Being a Good Listener
Really listening and tuning in to what a friend is trying to communicate is one key way to forge a solid relationship.
Unplug: Put away devices and distractions that divide your attention.
Be present: Listen without thinking ahead to what you are going to say next.
Take your time: Pause before responding to what someone has said.
Reflect: Restate what you heard to make sure you understood the other’s point of view.
Avoid: Try not to judge, give too much advice or change the subject.
FIVE FOR FAMILIES IDEA
Healthy Digital Habits
When it comes to connecting with others, our high-tech devices can be helpful tools or terrible distractions. No technology can replace having meaningful relationships with those around us. But healthy digital habits can help you maintain strong connections online and in person.
Keep connected: Stay in touch over time and distance, but also rely on more personal connections such as a card, phone call or visits, when possible.
Limit distractions: To be attentive, put devices down during meals and conversation.
Be patient and polite: Understanding emotions is easier face-to-face. Be patient when your words get misinterpreted and try not to say things online that you wouldn’t say in person.
The 5 Strengths are also called Protective Factors.
The language some people use to describe the 5 Strengths may be different. They are also called Protective Factors. But no matter which words you use, research has shown how important these strengths are for families as they navigate the challenges and joys of daily life.
Connecting with Others
Social Connections
Share Your Strength
Tell us about the strategies you used to grow stronger during a challenging time for your family. By sharing, you might help another family get ideas. And together we can all become stronger. By submitting a story, all or part of it may be posted on this website. See Policy on Further Disclosure or Use.
The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board may use or share my story or any part of it for public awareness and educational purposes. I also understand the Prevention Board may edit my story for length or content. By granting my permission, I release the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, its employees, directors, and agents from any liability related to the disclosure or use of my story or any part of my story.
Share Your Strength
Tell us about the strategies you used to grow stronger during a challenging time for your family. By sharing, you might help another family get ideas. And together we can all become stronger. By submitting a story, all or part of it may be posted on this website. See Policy on Further Disclosure or Use.
The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board may use or share my story or any part of it for public awareness and educational purposes. I also understand the Prevention Board may edit my story for length or content. By granting my permission, I release the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, its employees, directors, and agents from any liability related to the disclosure or use of my story or any part of my story.
Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your family. We are unable to publish every story and stories will not appear immediately after being submitted. Stories may be edited for length and context. Also, stories may be incorporated into other Prevention Board resources and materials. Questions? Learn more about our Policy on Further Disclosure or Use.
The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board may use or share my story or any part of it for public awareness and educational purposes. I also understand the Prevention Board may edit my story for length or content. By granting my permission, I release the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, its employees, directors, and agents from any liability related to the disclosure or use of my story or any part of my story.
Strong families are important.
Strong families support their friends, their communities and future generations.